Grace Rosalie (Olson) Swenson, 86, of Clermont, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the Good Samaritan Home in West Union, on October 22, 2025, with the song Amazing Grace playing in the background.
Grace was born June 26, 1939, to the late Richard and Evelyn (Dugstad) Olson of Clermont, Iowa. She was baptized September 3, 1939, and confirmed June 6, 1954, at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa.
Grace attended school in Clermont. Following graduation from Clermont High School in 1957, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and was employed at Meredith Publishing Company.
On February 28, 1959, Grace married the love of her life, LaVerne Swenson of Clermont. They were married 66 years and were blessed with three sons, Richard (Rick), Marti, and Shannon. LaVerne and Grace and sons known as LaGracia and Sons Inc., farmed north of Clermont. Grace was a devoted full-time farm wife, mother, and grandmother. LaVerne and Grace loved to travel the world. They served on various mission trips to Africa, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. They managed the Maize Maze at the Gilbertson Nature Center in Elgin, Iowa, for 22 years.
Grace loved and was deeply connected to her church and her church family. She served on many church committees and was active in many community and women’s groups. She was passionate about volunteering anywhere she was needed.
Grace was gifted at making everyone feel loved and special with her kind heart. Her love for her sons and grandchildren was profound. She reveled in showering them with love and attending their school and church activities for many years in the community.
Grace will be remembered fondly as “Amazing Grace,” saying she was almost perfect, her cherished Santa collection as LaVerne was Santa Clause for many years in the community, her beautiful wardrobe and all the accessories to match, her cooking and baking, her famous dinner rolls that were delivered with love to family every Saturday morning.
Grace is survived by her husband, LaVerne; sons, Rick (Marsha) Swenson and Marti (Carol) Swenson, both of Clermont; seven grandchildren, Beth (Drew) Gilligan, Jennifer (Dylan) DeBruin, Matthew (Rachel Koenig) Swenson, Brock (Kylie Kielsmeier) Swenson, Alesha (Andy) Butikofer, Korbin Swenson, and Isiah Anderson; thirteen great-grandchildren, Skylar and Teagan Gilligan, Caeden and Ashton DeBruin, Damon (Kinzzey Miracle) Swenson, Bree and Owen Swenson, Layla, Nora, and Dax Koenig, Lily Swenson, Alyas and Asher Butikofer; and one great-great-grandchild, Liam Swenson.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Evelyn Olson; her son, Shannon; two sisters, Mary Orth and Carolyn Smith; one brother, Gene Olson; sister-in-law, LaVonne (Swenson) Nelson; four brothers-in-law, Millard Nelson, Doug Appelman, George Dennis and Paul Humphrey; and a special friend, Jan Olson.
Visitation will be Friday, November 7, 2025 from 4-7 pm at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont and also one hour before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont with Rev. Mike Erickson as the Officiant.
Burial will be at a later date at God’s Acres, Clermont, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.